Bresnick to Head Hematology Society's Red Blood Cell Group

Madison, Wisconsin - Dr. Emery Bresnick, professor of cell and regenerative biology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has been named chair of the American Society of Hematology's Scientific Committee on Red Cell Biology.

The one-year appointment will begin Jan. 1, 2013; Bresnick will serve as vice chair for a year beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatments of blood disorders. Its scientific committees play a key role in setting the organization's research and policy agendas.

The committees also recommend topics for scientific programs held at the society's annual meeting. This year it will take place Dec. 12 in San Diego.

Bresnick studies the development of blood cells, or hematopoiesis. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms involved in this process may greatly help scientists and clinicians in treating and preventing leukemias, lymphomas and other blood disorders affecting millions of people around the world.

A major project in Bresnick's lab is to dissect the mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into progenitor cells, which in turn, form the eight types of blood cells, including red cells, white cells and platelets. The researchers focus on molecular players such as GATA factors, which control hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoiesis, and are defective in human blood cancers.

The Bresnick team also delves into the biology of the vascular system, investigating angiogenesis, or the process by which new blood vessels develop, and mechanisms that preserve the integrity of blood vessels. The scientists have developed innovative mouse models to study vascular abnormalities in live animals, which allows them to tease out how blood vessel integrity is maintained. Knowledge from these studies could help prevent blood vessel ruptures leading to strokes and aneurysms.

The studies also support the development of strategies to create new blood vessels in tissues - a key goal of regenerative medicine.

The lab uses genomics, proteomics, chemical genetics and computational analysis, as well as traditional molecular, cellular and biochemical methodologies.

The hematology society's mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training and advocacy in hematology.